Those ranked 1-3 can't face each other. Neither can 4-6. Of course federations can do some deals and actually not enforced the rule as we saw last year.

As each GP has 10 spots, we have 60 spots up for grabs. With the top 12 getting two spots guaranteed, that takes up 24 of the 60 spots, leaving 36 spots left to spread.

13 skaters are guaranteed a spot based on the SB/WR list (Chen is too young), we're down to 23 spots. I think it's very likely that this group of 13 will get a second GP invite, depending on how many of the 18 host picks are given to those who wouldn't qualify otherwise.

Because HOST PICK is the first step in the process, it IS possible for 1-3 or 4-6 seeds to face each other.

Last season, Japan picked Takahashi and Hanyu, the #2 and #3 seeds, for NHK. This year, USFS could pick Gold and Wagner for Skate America, but they probably won't.

But a host pick is the only way this can happen. And if one host picks two seeds in the same bracket, then another host isn't going to get a competitor from that bracket. So if USFS did pick #5 Wagner and #6 Gold, then one of the other hosts is going to have two 1-3 seeds at its event.

Because HOST PICK is the first step in the process, it IS possible for 1-3 or 4-6 seeds to face each other.

Last season, Japan picked Takahashi and Hanyu, the #2 and #3 seeds, for NHK. This year, USFS could pick Gold and Wagner for Skate America, but they probably won't.

But a host pick is the only way this can happen. And if one host picks two seeds in the same bracket, then another host isn't going to get a competitor from that bracket. So if USFS did pick #5 Wagner and #6 Gold, then one of the other hosts is going to have two 1-3 seeds at its event.

In theory Chan and Reynolds could both be in Skate Canada since they are 1 and 5. But I hope they are smarter than that and maximize spots for their other skaters.
And it looks like JSF could do a Hanyu/Takahashi NHK again, though that would be silly.